Fascia Trim Joint Locking Device

ABSTRACT

A fascia trim joint locking device is provided. The device includes a planar base having a pair of adjacent perpendicular planar walls, forming a general L-shape. In another embodiment of the fascia trim joint locking device, the device includes a planar base that is rectangular. In yet another embodiment, the device includes a planar base with an attaching latch. The planar walls include a pair of curved perimeter step-downs and taper downwardly to the opposing width and lengthwise ends of the planar base. At least one of the walls includes a pair of offset mounting apertures. The device can be secured around the bottom corner of fascia trim joint, a lateral fascia trim joint, and a ridge fascia trim joint to lock together the trim joint and prevent movement or separation.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No.63/023,931 filed on May 13, 2020. The above identified patentapplication is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety toprovide continuity of disclosure.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a fascia trim joint locking device.More specifically, the present invention provides a fascia trim jointlocking device that protects a homeowner's fascia trim joints fromdamage and provides the homeowner with an aesthetically appealing formof protection.

Many homeowners want the exterior of their home to have an appearancewhich is aesthetically appealing. One way that homeowners can improvethe appearance of their home is to secure fascia trim. Fascia trim is aspecific type of trim installed below the roof line of the home. Thefascia trim provides a more finished appearance for the roof and eavesof the house. These fascia trims may vary in thickness and arrangement,even on the same house.

In addition to the aesthetics that fascia trim provides, they can alsoprovide a function by supporting the house's roofline. Normally, fasciatrim helps give support to other sections of the home, such as a gutter.The installation of fascia trim joints allows gutters to have theadditional strong, and durable support when they have extra weight fromrainwater. When the fascia trim is installed, each section of the fasciatrim has to have a secured seal with the adjacent section of fascia trimto prevent the fascia trim from becoming damaged.

Adjacent sections of fascia trim are connected at their respectivejoints. If the fascia trim is not attached appropriately, the fasciatrim can become detached from the home, forcing the individual to makerepairs. These joints are exposed to weather and temperature, which ifthey are not properly attached, can damage the fascia trim.Specifically, the possible damage to the fascia trim can lead to thefascia trim becoming detached from the house. Failure to repair thedetached trim can result in separated joints. These separated joints maynegatively impact the aesthetic appeal of the home. When the home is notaesthetically appealing, the homeowner may become dissatisfied withtheir home's aesthetics.

Homes all have different designs, which requires different designs offascia trim to accommodate for the angles and shapes of the home. Thesedifferent designs of facia trim also create different joints betweenadjacent fascia trim. For example, the adjacent fascia trim joints canbe either a corner, a ridge, or a lateral. However, the homeowner willneed to have a device to secure the seal with adjacent sections offascia trim and prevent the joint between adjacent fascia trims fromseparating. Regardless of whether the adjacent sections of fascia trimare angled or not, they will require the same secured seal.Additionally, the different angles and shapes of adjacent sections offascia trim will require alternate designs to be equally asaesthetically appealing.

Therefore, there is a defined need amongst the known prior artreferences for a fascia trim joint locking device that is aestheticallyappealing and protects fascia trim joints from the damage with acombination of a planar base having a pair of adjacent perpendicularplanar walls.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known types offascia trim joint locking devices now present in the known art, thepresent invention provides a new fascia trim joint locking devicewherein a planar base includes aesthetically appealing planar walls thatprotects the fascia trim joint from damage.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a fasciatrim joint locking device that prevents fascia joints from separating.Over time, fascia joints can separate from each other and detached froma home. When the fascia joints separate from the home, the detachedfascia joints can negatively impact the home's aesthetics. A lateralfascia joints can be formed from two fascias that are contacting eachother at a 180-degree angle. A corner fascia joints can be formed fromtwo fascias that are extending out from perpendicular edges. A ridgefascia joints can be formed from two fascias that are contacting eachother at an angle less than 180-degrees. Thus, the fascia trim jointlocking device provides a means to secure fascia joints together andallow fascia trim joint to maintain a connection. This will preventfascia joints from separating from each other and detaching from thehome. Ultimately, limiting any effects on the home's aesthetics due to aseparating of fascia joints.

Another aspect of the present invention is to add an aestheticallyappeal external fascia trim joint locking device. Commonly used fasciatrim joint locking devices have a plain exterior body that does not givethe home an aesthetically pleasing appearance. The present inventionwill allow for the homeowner to have a fascia trim joint locking devicethat have an aesthetically pleasing appearance. The present inventioncomprises an external design that is displayed when the fascia trimjoint locking device is affixed to the fascia trim on the home. Theexternal design will include curved perimeter step-downs. The curveperimeter step-downs will be displayed on the home when the device isattached to a fascia joint. The curve perimeter step-downs will allowthe device to be aesthetically appealing and enhance the appearance ofthe home when they are attached.

BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS OF THE DRAWINGS

Although the characteristic features of this invention will beparticularly pointed out in the claims, the invention itself and mannerin which it may be made and used may be better understood after a reviewof the following description, taken in connection with the accompanyingdrawings wherein like numeral annotations are provided throughout.

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of the fascia trimjoint locking device.

FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of the fascia trimjoint locking device in use.

FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of thefascia trim joint locking device.

FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of thefascia trim joint locking device in use.

FIG. 5 shows a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of thefascia trim joint locking device.

FIG. 6 shows a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of thefascia trim joint locking device in use.

FIG. 7 shows a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of thefascia trim joint locking device in use.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Reference is made herein to the attached drawings. Like referencenumerals are used throughout the drawings to depict like or similarelements of a fascia trim joint locking device. The figures are intendedfor representative purposes only and should not be limiting in anyrespect.

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of a fascia trim jointlocking device. The fascia trim joint locking device 101 comprises aplanar base 103 and a plurality of planar walls 102. In this embodimentof the fascia trim joint locking device 101, the planar base 103 forms ageneral L-shape. The plurality of planar walls 102 extend upwardly fromone edge of the planar base 103. In this embodiment of the fascia trimjoint locking device 101, the plurality of planar walls 102 includes apair of curved perimeter step-downs that taper downwardly to theopposing width and lengthwise ends of the planar base 103. The fasciatrim joint locking device 101 forms a single unit with the planar base103 and the plurality of planar walls 102. A pair of offset mountingapertures 104 are disposed on at least one of the planar walls 102.

FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of a fascia trim jointlocking device in use. In use, the fascia trim joint locking device 101is externally secured to a fascia trim corner joint. The fascia trimjoint locking device 101 is configured in such a way that the planarbase 103 is connected to the bottom of the two adjacent fascia trim thatform the corner joint. Moreover, the plurality of planar walls 102 isconnected to the exterior face of the two adjacent fascia trim that formthe corner joint. The plurality of the pair of offset mounting apertures104 are configured to receive a fastener 201 therethrough, such as anail or screw, thereby allowing the user to secure the fascia trim jointlocking device 101 to a desired location.

FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a fasciatrim joint locking device. The fascia trim joint locking device 301comprises a planar base 302 a and a pair of planar walls 303 a, 304 a.In this embodiment of the fascia trim joint locking device 301, theplanar base 302 a forms a rectangular shape. The pair of planar walls303 a, 304 a extend upwardly from opposing lengthwise ends of the planarbase 302 a. A plurality of mounting apertures 302 b are disposed on theface of the planar base 302 a. A first planar wall 304 a is arectangular shape. The fascia trim joint locking device 301 forms asingle unit with the planar base 302 a and the pair of planar walls 303a, 304 a. A plurality of mounting apertures 304 b are disposed on theface of the first planar wall 304 a. In this embodiment of the fasciatrim joint locking device 301, a second planar wall 303 a is shaped witha pair of curved perimeter step-downs. A pair of offset mountingapertures 303 b disposed on the face of the second planar wall 303 a.

FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a fasciatrim joint locking device in use. In use, the fascia trim joint lockingdevice 301 is secured to a fascia trim lateral joint. The fascia trimjoint locking device 301 is configured in such a way that the planarbase 302 a is connected to the bottom of the two adjacent fascia trimthat form the lateral joint. The first planar wall 304 a is connected tothe interior face of the two adjacent fascia trim that form the lateraljoint; and the second planar wall 303 a is connected to the exteriorface of the two adjacent fascia trim that form the lateral joint. Theplurality of mounting apertures 302 b disposed on the face of the planarbase 302 a; the plurality of mounting apertures 304 b disposed on theface of the first planar wall 304 a; and the pair of offset mountingapertures 303 b disposed on the face of the second planar wall 303 a areconfigured to receive a fastener 401 therethrough, such as a nail orscrew, thereby allowing the user to secure the fascia trim joint lockingdevice 301 to a desired location.

FIG. 5 shows a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a fasciatrim joint locking device. The fascia trim joint locking device 501comprises a planar base 503 a, an attaching latch 503 b, and a planarwall 502 a. In this embodiment of the fascia trim joint locking device501, the attaching latch 503 b extends upwardly from one side of theplanar base 103. The planar wall 502 a extends upwardly from side of theplanar base 103 opposing the attaching latch 503 b. In this embodimentof the fascia trim joint locking device 501, the planar wall 502 aincludes a pair of curved perimeter step-downs that taper downwardlyextending over the ends of the planar base 503 a. The fascia trim jointlocking device 501 forms a single unit with the planar base 503 a, theattaching latch 503 b, and the planar wall 502 a. A plurality ofmounting apertures 502 b are also disposed on the planar wall 502 a.

FIG. 6 shows a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a fasciatrim joint locking device in use. In use, the fascia trim joint lockingdevice 501 is secured to a fascia trim ridge joint. The fascia trimjoint locking device 501 is configured in such a way that the planarbase 502 a is connected to the bottom of the two adjacent fascia trimthat form the ridge joint. The attaching latch 503 b is connect to theinterior face of the two adjacent fascia trim that form the ridge jointand the planar wall 502 a is connect to the exterior face of the twoadjacent fascia trim that form the ridge joint. The plurality ofmounting apertures 502 b are configured to receive a fastener 601therethrough, such as a nail or screw, thereby allowing the user tosecure the fascia trim joint locking device 501 to a desired location.

FIG. 7 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of a fascia trim jointlocking device in use. In use, the fascia trim joint locking device 701is internally secured to a fascia trim corner joint. The fascia trimjoint locking device 701 is configured in such a way that the planarbase 702 is connected to the bottom of the two adjacent fascia trim thatform the corner joint and the plurality of planar walls 703 is connectto the internal face of the two adjacent fascia trim that form thecorner joint. The fascia trim joint locking device 701 forms a singleunit with the planar base 702 and the plurality of planar walls 703. Theplurality of the pair of offset mounting apertures 704 are configured toreceive a fastener 705 therethrough, such as a nail or screw, therebyallowing the user to secure the fascia trim joint locking device 701 toa desired location.

It is therefore submitted that the instant invention has been shown anddescribed in what is considered to be the most practical and preferredembodiments. It is recognized, however, that departures may be madewithin the scope of the invention and that obvious modifications willoccur to a person skilled in the art. With respect to the abovedescription then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensionalrelationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations insize, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assemblyand use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in theart, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in thedrawings and described in the specification are intended to beencompassed by the present invention.

Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of theprinciples of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications andchanges will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is notdesired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operationshown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications andequivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of theinvention

I claim:
 1. A joint locking device, comprising: a planar base; whereinthe planar base forms a general L-shape; a plurality of planar wallsextending upwardly from the planar base; the plurality of planar wallsincludes a pair of curved perimeter step-downs; wherein the pair ofcurved perimeter step-downs taper downwardly to the opposing width andlengthwise ends of the planar base, whereby the planar base and theplurality of planar walls form a single unit; and at least one of theplanar walls includes a pair of offset mounting apertures.
 2. The jointlocking device of claim 1, wherein the plurality of planar walls coupledwith the planar base are configured to fit externally around a cornerjoint formed by a fascia trim.
 3. The joint locking device of claim 1,wherein the plurality of planar walls coupled with the planar base areconfigured to fit internally around a corner joint formed by a fasciatrim.
 4. The joint locking device of claim 1, wherein the pair of offsetmounting apertures are configured to receive a fastener therethrough,such as a nail or screw, thereby allowing the user to secure the deviceto the fascia trim.
 5. A joint locking device, comprising: a planarbase; wherein the planar base forms a rectangular shape; a plurality ofmounting apertures disposed on the face of the planar base a pair ofplanar walls extending upwardly from opposing lengthwise ends of theplanar base; wherein a first planar wall is a rectangular shape and asecond planar wall includes a pair of curved perimeter step-downs;whereby the planar base and the pair of planar walls form a single unit;a plurality of mounting apertures disposed on the face of the firstplanar wall; and a pair of offset mounting apertures disposed on theface of the second planar wall.
 6. The joint locking device of claim 5,wherein the plurality of planar walls coupled with the planar base areconfigured to fit around a lateral joint formed by a fascia trim.
 7. Thejoint locking device of claim 5, wherein the plurality of mountingapertures disposed on the face of the planar base are configured toreceive a fastener therethrough, such as a nail or screw, therebyallowing the user to secure the device to the fascia trim.
 8. The jointlocking device of claim 5, wherein the plurality of mounting aperturesdisposed on the face of the first planar wall are configured to receivea fastener therethrough, such as a nail or screw, thereby allowing theuser to secure the device to the fascia trim.
 9. The joint lockingdevice of claim 5, wherein the pair of offset mounting aperturesdisposed on the face of the second planar wall are configured to receivea fastener therethrough, such as a nail or screw, thereby allowing theuser to secure the device to the fascia trim.
 10. A joint lockingdevice, comprising: a planar base; a planar wall extending upwardly fromone end of the planar base; an attaching latch extending upwardly fromthe end of the planar base opposing the planar wall; wherein the planarwall includes a pair of curved perimeter step-downs, whereby the planarbase, the planar wall, and the attaching latch form a single unit; and aplurality of mounting apertures disposed on the face of the planar wall.11. The joint locking device of claim 10, wherein the plurality ofplanar walls coupled with the planar base are configured to fit around aridge joint formed by a fascia trim.
 12. The joint locking device ofclaim 10, wherein the plurality of mounting apertures are configured toreceive a fastener therethrough, such as a nail or screw, therebyallowing the user to secure the device to the fascia trim.